John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)

I am loth to intervene in matters of this nature for obvious reasons, but as the Deputy raised the matter with me and I replied to him, I should clarify the situation for him. The position is that it is a matter in the first instance for the Committee on Procedure and Privileges to decide whether it would recommend that the Houses of the Oireachtas should be joined as a party to the relevant proceedings. If the Deputy wants my view it is that the Oireachtas should be very slow to take such a course of action because clearly in all those cases the taxpayer is possibly exposed to liability for costs. As it is a matter in the first instance for CPP, it must be considered there. There is precedent for the Houses to become involved in cases relating to privilege of Members, but it is a step that should be taken very carefully and to which very deep consideration should be given prior to any move. It certainly should not be done precipitously. The CPP must deal with this matter in the first instance and if the Deputy wishes it to be raised there, he will no doubt have a representative or representatives who can do so on his behalf.

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